Lawrence Jr. commits to Miami

THE RIVALS150: Class of 2014 - Class of 2015

On the day the NCAA informed the University of Miami what their punishment would be for the Nevin Shapiro saga, head coach Jim Larranaga picked up the phone, called Anthony Lawrence and offered him a scholarship.

Only one small thing. Earlier that day Lawrence had verbally committed to Central Florida -- although his commitment had not yet gone public.

"Coach L didn't know," said Anthony Lawrence, Sr. "Nobody knew, we hadn't let it out yet, it hadn't been tweeted or anything. I was watching ESPN waiting on the ruling, because I'm a big Hurricane football fan, and at the same time that the ruling came out Coach L called."

Less than one month later, the St. Petersburg (Fla.) Lakewood junior reopened his recruitment and Miami was at the top of his list. Monday afternoon, while on an unofficial visit to Miami, Lawrence verbally committed to the 'Canes.

"We sat in the office and talked with the coaches a little bit then my father and I went to one of the team meetings," said Lawrence. "We went in the office again and that's when I did it (committed). Coach was shocked. I had told him that I wouldn't be committing anywhere until after the AAU summer so when I told him I wanted to commit today he was excited."

Those that know Lawrence well say he was born a Hurricane. He had Hurricane bed sheets when he was very young, his father played at Miami and he has family that lives close to campus. Once Larranaga arrived in Coral Gables, the dream of playing for Miami became a strong possibility.

"My relationship with Coach L and his staff is tight," said Lawrence. "He's been recruiting me ever since I was in the ninth grade so they know me real well. I've been going to their camps and on unofficial visits and they've come up to multiple games to watch me, so I know them real well."

Lawrence's father agreed and added that Miami did a great job recruiting his son.

"Miami was always there but it looked like they wouldn't have a scholarship due to the sanctions," the elder Lawrence said. "Coach Larranaga really, really worked hard recruiting my son. He really made it known he wanted my son to play for him. What really impressed me was one day he had a noon game against Boston College and then he jumped on a charter jet and came to watch my son play in a regional final. He came up to me and said, 'I'm just here to let you know that I really want your son to play for me,' I was like, 'wow.'"

Now that he's settled on Miami, Lawrence, who averaged averaging 20 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists during his junior season, said he'll turn his focus to the upcoming AAU season including trying to win the Nike Peach Jam with his Each One Teach One Elite teammates.

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